2 Samuel 3:22
2 Samuel 3:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joab returns from a raid with plunder, just after Abner has departed in peace.
What Does 2 Samuel 3:22 Mean?
David's troops under Joab return from a raid laden with spoil, arriving only after Abner has already left. The narrator stresses again that Abner was gone in peace, by David's own sending.
The careful timing matters: David is not present, and Abner has been dismissed in good faith. The repeated note of peace sets in sharp relief the violence about to come from Joab's hand. The reader is being shown plainly that what follows is not David's doing, so that the king's innocence will stand clear.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 3:22
What does 2 Samuel 3:22 mean?
Joab returns from a raid with plunder, just after Abner has departed in peace.